TPRC 2024: The 52nd Research Conference on Communications, Information and Inter

Link to paper

Abstract:
Focused on broadband service accessibility in rural/remote communities, this study investigates mobile Internet access and usage in the Northwest Territories (NWT) of Canada. Using primary data collected from Northern mobile phone subscribers, the study explores mobile phone ownership, usage frequency, and hotspotting behaviour in hub and peripheral communities. Demonstrating variations between two types of rural/remote communities, the study found significant differences in mobile phone access and use. Residents in peripheral communities showed higher mobile phone ownership and greater reliance on mobile Internet, averaging 4.2 hours of daily usage compared to 3.6 hours in hub communities. These factors are attributed to the lack of adequate household connectivity options and the necessity for reliable, on-the-go Internet access. Additionally, the study highlights motivations for mobile Internet usage, such as convenience, better speed, and broader coverage, with many participants citing dissatisfaction with existing household Internet services.

The findings also reveal a high incidence of mobile hotspotting behaviour, particularly in peripheral communities. This indicates a propensity among Northern residents to share mobile Internet connectivity across devices and end users. While mobile service costs were marginally higher in peripheral communities, this difference was not statistically significant. However, household service plans in peripheral communities include data restrictions and overage fees, which suggests the higher instances of hotspotting behaviour and adoption of mobile services may be a way for people to manage such costs. In the context of recent policy and industry developments concerning support for mobile infrastructure and service deployments in rural/remote and Northern areas, these insights contribute to understanding the role – and limitations – of using mobile Internet to bridge digital divides. While mobile services could offer a cost-effective solution to improving digital access, they also reflect limitations related to device capability and quality of access and may exacerbate the so-called “device divide”.